Destiny Machell DeHart

Why did you choose to attend East Carolina University?

Because it is AMAZING! Have you walked on the ECU campus? Have you watched student after student after teacher after student walk by in purple and gold pirate attire? Simply walk on campus and you will see why so many have chosen this campus as the community for their rising education. ECU was the total package for me; with the art program, the students, the spirit, and fortunately the most amazing scholarships, ECU was the obvious choice. But, mostly, if you’re a pirate, you’re a pirate and that’s pretty much it.

What has your scholarship enabled you to do?

Traveling abroad through the Italy Intensives program gave me more than
I ever could have expected.Not only was
I able to travel beautiful and exciting parts of Italy, but I also gained a
sense of independence.Weekend trips
weren’t limited to the town we were staying in.I could travel as far as I wanted, given I was responsible and contacted
the program director.I learned so much
about traveling and planning, that I no longer have any qualms in taking a bus
or a plane, or even planning a trip across the country.

What special undergraduate research opportunities have you experienced at the university?

I have had amazing
opportunities to study with professors at ECU including Dr. Kate Lamere, along
with Michele Whaley of the Pitt County Animal Shelter through several
internships organized through the EC Scholars program. In my internship at the Pitt County Animal
Shelter I revived a lot of hands on research with both the animals and the
volunteers at the shelter. Our main goal
for this internship was problem solving, and although our final goal was to
create a more efficient volunteer, we were faced with many challenges that we
had to adapt quickly to.

What unique leadership opportunities have you experienced at the university?

My fellow EC Scholars have shown me that leadership is more complicated
than many people think.Rather than being
#1 person in charge, a true leader is someone the supports the team and does
his or her part to the best of his abilities and is a vital part of
accomplishing collective goals.

What are your career plans/aspirations?

While my fellow EC Scholars of the 2011 entering class will be
graduating at the end of this year, I will have another undergraduate year
ahead of me.While this year will be
spent completing my senior honors project, the next will focus on my Senior Art
Showcase.After graduation I hope to
combine my art and psychology degrees to peruse a Masters in Art Therapy.

What extracurricular activities have you participated in during your time at ECU?

One of my favorite extracurricular programs at ECU is the ECU club fencing team. While anyone is welcome to
join, and we accept new members continually, the fencing team is a family that
works hard to stay active and compete nationally. The implication of the Women’s Sabre Team has
been a personal source of pride and accomplishment for me, because this fencing
style is often considered a masculine sport and many schools don’t support the
women’s team.

How have you made a positive impact while you have been at East Carolina University?

Although ECU has over 27,000 students and can seem daunting
at times, I try to always make the students I talk to feel welcome.I feel that the small moments shared between
people can have a bigger impact than people realize and so even the smallest
moment can have a positive impact on your community.